Auto lift and the like



July 18, 1933- T. A. BANNING, JR

AUTO LIFT AND THE LIKE f 5 Sheets-Sheet I l Filed May 13, 1930 July 18,1933.

l T. `A. BANNING, JR

AUTO LIFT AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 195o July 18,1933. T. A. BANNING, .JR 1,919,156

AUTO LIFT AND THE LIKE -Filed May 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ice.

munged .my 1a, 1933 UNITE-D STATES THOMAS AnBANNING, JB., 0F 'WILMETTEILLINOIS AUTO LIFT AND THE LIKE Application vfiled Kay 13, 1930. SerialNo. 452,041.

This invention relates to certain improvements in lifts for raisingautomobiles and the like. The lift herein disclosed is especiallyintended for the raisin and around service stations, garages, greasingand oilin plants, and similar locations. It will be un erstood, however,that the features of the invention are not limited to the foregoing orany other specific classes of serv- In as much, however, as the liftherein disclosed is especially' intended for the foregoing classes ofservice, I have illustrated and will describe its usefulness in thatconnection; but in so doing I wish it distinctly understood that I donot intend to limit myself except as I ma do so in the'claims.

One object o the invention is to provide a lift having a minimum numberof moving parts in frictional contact with each other and under fluidpressure so as to require sealing against seepage of the fluid. In thisconnection it is'an ob'ect to provide a lift which may be operated y anysuitable Huid pressure, either air or oil or other suitable fluid. Thelift is so arranged, however, that the moving parts which are subject tofrictional contact with each other are at all times elficientlylubricated and sealed by an oil seal so as to reduce or completely avoidHuid seepage. l

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of Aa lifthaving a stationary upstanding piston member, the lower end of which iseffectively anchored in a very rigid manner; together with a surroundingand overlying vertically movable cylinder member which travels upwardlywith respect to the stationary piston member, said cylinder membercarrying at its upper end the platfo'form or structure which supportsthe autoinobile. In connection with the foregoing it is an object vtoprovide a structure of such arrangement'that the lower ortion of thestationary piston member may e very rigidly anchored so as to establisha very rigid upstanding column'fully ca able of resisting the lateralforces or any hending tendency which may be vcreated in service due toeccentric loading.

It is a further object in connection with the of automobiles inforegoingto construct the piston member in the form' of a stationary hollowcolumn or tubular member 'of maximum size consistent with the desiredcylinder size. This will also materially increase the stiffness andrigidity of the piston column.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of anarrangement for establishing an abutment plate surrounding thevertically movable cylinder` substantially at the ground level and veryrigidly supported. A

This abutment plate serves to receive and resist any lateral deflectionof the cylinder. This stationary abutment plate is preferably locatedclose to the ground level and preferably does not actually make sliding.contact 'with the exterior of the cylinder during normal verticalmovements thereof, thereby avoiding any frictional contact between partsduring the normal lifting and lowering operations. 'This makes itunnecessary to finish the exterior surface of the vertically movablecylinder and4 also makes it unnecessary to provide .special antifrictiondevices such as rollers; while at the same time there is ample provisionfor receiving and resisting lateral deflection of the column whenraisedA and under load. 4

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of a groundshell which surrounds and protectsthe vertically movable cylinder andextends down at least `as far as the lower limit of movement of thelower end of the cylinder. This ground shell thus effectively preventsthe -ingress of dirt and other foreign or gritty substance. Furthermore,the ground shell may, if desired, be wholly or partially filled withliquid oil so as to lubricate the exterior surface of the shell wherethe same passes through the abutment or ground plate, to'thereby insureeffective lubrication of the same in those instances when actual contactis established between these parts.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of aconstruction in which the lower end of the ground shell is rigidlyconnected to the lower portion of the piston member. This serves to sealthe lower portion of the ground shell chamber at the same time it servesto rigidly connect the stationary piston and the ground shell so thatthe rigidity of the ground shell imbedded in the earth or concrete isavailable to improve or reenforce the rigidity of the stationary pistonmember. This will insure an extremely rigid combined structure. l

A furtherv feature in connection with the foregoing is the provision ofan arrangement in which the lower portion of the stationary pistonmember reaches a considerable distance below the lower end of the groundShell at the point where these two elements are rigidly connectedtogether. This arrangement is beneficial since it makes it possible toimbed the lower portion of the piston member directly in the concrete orearth so that the stationary piston member is supported with anincreased amount of stillness and rigidity and supplemental to thereenforcing action of the ground shell itself. s

A further benefit secured from the foregoing arrangement is that vinthose cases in which it is desired to increase the tank capacity of thestationary tubular piston member, suchincrease of capacity may beprocured by extending the stationary tubular piston member further downinto the ground until the desired capacity is established, and withoutthe necessity of correspondingly lengthening the movable cylinder memberor the ground shell. Itis thus possibleto sel cure such increasedcapacity at a minimum ofl cost and weight of structure.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of anarrangement in which there is provided if necessary a sealing device'onthel upper end of the stationary piston member and insideA of thevertically, movable tubular cylinder member.

ing gland or a cup leather or other suitable device. In this connectionit is an object of the invention to provide an opening in the platformor top member at the upper end of v the vertically movable cylinder soas to give access to this packing device for re lacement or repair oradjustment by the simple expedient of removing a cover provided forthat'purpose when the lift is in the lowered position.

A further feature of the invention lis to provide an arrangement suchthat the bear- 1 ing surface at the upper end of the stationary pistonmember may be made ample to give suitable and sufficient support incontactwith the inner surface of the vertically movable cylinder totransmit the deliecting forces 'created by eccentricity of load when thelift is raised.

Another feature of the invention relates to the provision of a liftarrangement of self- I contained nature including tankage capacitywithin itself suiicient to accommodate the full amount of oil necessaryto operate the Such a sealingl device may be either in the form of apack- `y so that it is unnecessary to make special provision forsupplemental and external ground or other tanks for oil Stora e.

In connection with the oregoing, I have discovered the fact thatwhen'usiig a stationary tubular piston member of substantially full sizecorresponding to a s ecified diameter of vmovable cylinder, and w en thelower portion of said stationary tubular piston is carried down andimbedded in the ground below the lower end of the round shell, an amountsuiiicient to give a rigid piston support, the space within said h ollowpiston is suiiicient to accommodate all of the oil necessary for acomplete liftin operation without the necessity of externa storagecapacity. v

This further shows a peculiar and definiterelationship'existing betweenthe arrangement of Alpartsdisclosed inthe present application.`

further feature in connection with the foregoing is the provision ofpiping arrangements such that when th'e device is used as an oil lift'byoperation of compressed air or the like, said compressed air is admittedthrough an air pipe into the upper portion of the hollow piston member,there being an o il pipe reaching from the lower portion of the hollowpiston member up through the piston head into the movable cylinder abovethe same so-that it effects the lifting o eration. During the loweringoperation 1t is only necessary., to release said air under controlwhereupon the oil is again restored from the movable cylinder memberdown tothe hollow pis-A ton member.

' A further feature of the invention relates v to the provision of astop on the verticallyv movable cylinder member in position to engagethe ground ring and arrest the upward movement of the cylinder prior todisengagement thereof from the upper portion of the stationary pistonmember.

A further object of the invention is Ato proi which ma-v be readilybuiltand assembled by welding or brazing or other similar operations in theshop.

A further feature of the invention relates to the provision of a new andimproved conlas struction of platform arrangement for supporting thecar. l In this connection it is an object to provide a platformstructure of very simple design and construction, and one which can bereadily made from structural forms and simple operations.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appeal' from a detaileddescription of the same which consists in the features of constructionand combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

ln the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a vertical central section through a lift embodying thefeatures of the present invention, together with the platform at theupper end of the vertically movable cylinder, the platform being shownin transverse section. and the parts being shown in lowered position;

Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1` but on somewhatreduced scale the parts being shown in raised position;

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the structure on reduced scale asycomparedto Figure l; j

Figure 4 shows ahorizontal section on the line 4 4 of Figure l, lookingin the direction of thc arrows;

Figure 5 shows a horizontal section on the line of Figure 1, looking inthe direction of the arrows; I

Figure 6 shows a horizontal section on the line 6 6 of Figure 1, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figure 7 shows a horizontal section on the line 7-7 of Figurel, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figur-e 8 shows a horizontal section on the line 8&8 of Figure 1,looking in the direction ofthe arrows; and v Figure 9 shows afragmentarydetail vertical section through the upper portion of the cylinder andpiston structure and related parts in lowered position. but illustratinga modified type of construction in which a cuplea ther is provided forestablishing the seal instead of an adjustable packing gland.

'Referring to the drawings, there is a stationary tubular piston 11, thelower end 12 of which is closed; this lower portion 12 may said cap 13is preferably provided with a downwardly depending flange 14- having atits upper end a shoulder 15 against which the upper end of the tubularpiston 11 abuts. The flange 14 closely embraces the upper portion of thetubular member 11; and pref.- erably the parts a're welded togetheraround the edge 1G as indicated.

' l The external cylindrical surface of the cap member 13 is accuratelyformed, as for example, by a grinding operation and constitutes abearing and sealin surface for the verticall movable cylin er member 17.This cylinder member projects down aroundand encircles the piston member1l when the same is in lowered position. Furthermore the inner surfaceof the movable cylinder 17 .is preferably polished, or accuratelyfinished so that it works smoothly and in sealing fashion against theexterior of the cap member 13. The vertical dimension of the bearingsurface established between the cap member 13 (and the sealing gasket ifused) and the inner surface of the cylinder member 17 is made sufficientto give the proper rigidity between the cylinder and piston members.

A plate 18 is placed over the upper end of the cylinder member andsealed thereto in fluid tight fashion aswell as being connected withsufficient rigidity to carry the load of the platform and the automobilethereon. Preferably this plate 18fis of width greater than the diameterof the cylinder 17 as shown in Figure 1 and of length sufficient toestablish a satisfactory support for the cross or 'tabled plate as shownin Figure 3. A convenient system of attachment consists in placing acircular angle member 19 with its vertical `flange aroundthe upperportion of the cylinder 17 and its horizontal flange in contact with thebottom surface yof the plate 18. This vertical flange is then weldedtothe upper portion of the cylinder 17 and the horizontal flange may bebolted to the plate 18, a fluid tight joint being provided by the use ofa gasket or in any other suitable Surrounding the movable cylinder 17 isa ground shell 20. This ground shell is spaced from the movable cylinder17 a sufficient distance to accommodate the travels of a stop ring 21which is secured to the exterior surface of the movable cylinder 17 asby welding or otherwise. The ground shell 20 is of sufficient size topermit the stop rin 21 to travel up and down within the mova le cylinderanl'd preferably without contact between the parts. y v

The lower end of the ground shell is sealed and rigidly connected to thelower portion of the stationary piston member 11. In the particularconstruction illustrated this result isaccomplished by the use of aring22 having its inner edge welded to the stationary' piston 11 asshown at 23, and its outer edge welded to the lower end of the groundshell as shown at 24.

This ring 22 or other closure for the ground shell is placed at such aposition as t0 serve as a support or rest for the lower endof themovable cylinder 17 when in the fully lowered position of Figure 1. Inthis way the Weight of the movable cylinder together with the platformand the load thereon may be directly supported and sustained in case theplatform itself should not come into direct contact with the surface'of' the ground. I will state at this point, however, that it isintended that normally the parts should be so set and proportioned thatthe end portions of the platform rails shall di rectly rest upon and besupported by the ground when lowered.

Usually the-lower end. of the ground shell 20 terminates above the lowerend 12 of the stationary piston member 11. Such being the case thelowered portion of the piston `member may be directly imbedded inconcrete or the ground as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This will make itpossible to provide a very rigid and unyielding support4 for the lowerportion of the stationary piston member and irrespective of theadditional support accorded by the connection of the ground shell to thepiston member.

A stationary ground plate 25 is placed around the vertically movablecylinder at the ground level. This plate 25 has a central opening 26 ofslightly larger size than the movable cylinder 17 so that there is aslight 'clearance established as clearly indicated in Figure 1. Theresult is that normally the cylinder will rise and vfall without actualcontact with the ground plate and therefore without any friction at thispoint. This fact makes it unnecessary to finish the exterior surface ofthe cylinder tube and the interior bore 26 of the ground'plate, withcorresponding substantial saving in cost of manufacture. The amount ofthe clearance is, however, slight so that in case of lateral deflectionbeing produced when the cylinder is raised land under load, the cylinderwill come ,into actual contact with the ground plate and be laterallysupported against further deflection.

It will also be noticed that due to the slight clearance existingbetween the cylinder and ground plate, the interior of the ground shell20 is at atmospheric pressure and this is true even when the fluidpressure is exerted between the stationary piston and the. movableycylinder during the raising and sustaining the load.

Preferably the ground plate 25 is constructed with a ilange 27 whichreaches down into the upper end of the ground shell 20 and is weldedthereto as shown at 28 in Figure 1. This flange is accommodated insideof the upper portion of the ground shell and without necessary increasein the size of the ground shell which is made of sulicient size toreceive the travels of the stop ring 21 al- -ready referred to.

When the cylinder is fully raised, the stop ring 21 comes into contactwith the ilange 27 so as to arrest any further upward movement of thecylinder.

For this purpose the ring 21 should be so placed that thearrestingcontact takes-place before the cylinder commences ,to overridethe flange 14 of the capmembjerv 13 in upward travel. This will giveassurance that the full amount of bearing contact is maintained betweenthe cylinder 17 and-the cap 13 at all times under load.

The cylinder 17 is sealed in fluid tight manner with respect to the cap13. lThere f is established the cylinder chamber 29 above` the cap andbelow `the plate 18 and within the upper portion of the cylinder. Avertical pipe 30 extends up through the cap andinto the s ace 29 and ispreferably sealed to the cap w ere it passes through the same as shownat 31.

The pipe 30 serves as a conduit to deliver fluid into the space 29 inorder to raise the platform or to permit discharge of said fluid whenthe platform is to be lowered. The arrangement illustrated may beconveniently used either for a liquid or oil operation or an airoperation 'so-called. An oil operaon arrangement is illustrated, forwhich purpose the pipe 30 is carried down to a point close to the lowerend 12 of the stationary piston 11. An air pipe 32 1s passed through thelower portion of the stationary piston at a point below the ground shell20.

and into the interior of the stationary piston 11, and said pipe is thencarried up to a point close vto the top of the cap 13 as illustrated inFigure 1. Preferably the stationary piston 17 is then lled with oil upto a level close to the upper end of the pipe 32 (the movable cylinderbeing 1n the lowered position of Figure 1). Under these circumstances,introduction of compressed a1r through the pipe 32 will press down onthe oil within the stationary piston, causlng said oil to risethrough'the4 pipe 30 andinto-the space 29 above the cap 13. In suchspace 29 it will exert a lifting action on the plate 18 so as to raisethe movable cylinder and the platform by oil operation. Conversely whenthe air is allowed to discharge lfrom the pipe 32 the plate 18 andmovable cylinder will descend, causing the oil to be restored lthroughthe pipe 30 into the stationary piston.

It will be noted from the above operation that the volume containedwithin the stationary tubular piston should be suiicient to accommodatethe full amount of oil to be transferred during such lifting andlowering operations. The diameter of the stationary piston is somewhatless than the diameter of the movable cylinder 17; but conversely thelength of the stationary hollow piston is preferably greater than theamount of displacing movement of the cylinder, especially in those Casesin which it is desired to carry the lower end of the stationary pistondown below the lower end of the movable cylinder so 'as to get a directground support for the stationary y piston as shown in Figure 1. Itisthus possible to establish the necessary tankage capacity for the oildirectly inside of the device itself and without additional cost ofconstruction or additional amount of structural materials and also tosecure these results in a selfcontained structure which can be fullyassembledat the shop and set into place in a single installationoperation.

It will be noted that the full fluid pressure is exerted within thespace 29, tending to force a seepage of oil downwardly between themovable cylinder and the stationary head 13.1 This oil, however, willtend to serve as a sea If desired., the sealing action between the'cross piece and the pressure pipe 30 is carried up therethrough andreceives a nut 35 which when tightened up serves to force the gland downso as to compress the packing. When this arrangement is used it ispreferred that the gland be vented toits bottom sides as shown at 36 sothat the Huid pressure will be substantially balanced on the gland.

The plate 18 is provided with a removable cover 37 which when removedgives suilicient access to the nut 35 to enable the same to be adjustedin order to tighten the packing. The cap 37 when in place should be iuidtight since it must resist the full fluid pressure when the lift is inservice.

It will be noted that the pressure pipe 30 extends a slight distanceabove the cross piece of the gland 33. In case it should be desired tooperate this lift by air pressure direct, such operation may beaccomplished by connecting the air pipe 32 directly to the pressure pipe30 so that the compressed air is delivered directly into the space 29.Under such circumstances the lifting force will be directly establishedby compressed air exerted against the bottom face of the plate 18. Incase of such operation it is nevertheless desirable to Vplace a smallamount of oil within the space 29 and on top of the cap therein, saidoil establishing a seal around the packing gland and thus effectivelylubricating the parts as well as eliminating any possible leakage atthat point.

In connection with the foregoing it will be noted that the pipe 30 iscarried up a slight distance into the space 29, so as to establish aWeir which will retain a small amount of oil therein for the abovesealing purpose.

In some cases it may be desirable to use an alternative sealingdevicesuch as a cup leather in place of the adjustable gland illustrated inFigure 1. For this purpose in Figure 9 I have illustrated-.a modifiedconstruction in which the outside`bearing surface ofthe cap .The pipe 32connects to the manifol 13 on the upper end of the stationary piston 11is carried up to the top surface of the cap so as to establish the fullbearing surface for the vertically movable cylinder 17. The fluidpressure pipe `30 is carried up through the upper end of the cap and iswelded or otherwise sealed thereto as shown at 31. Also the plate 18 issecured to the upper end of the vertically movable cylinder as in theprevious construction, said plate also being provided with the removablecap 37.

The packing gland 33 and packing ma.- terial 34 are eliminated.V Inplace thereof a cup leather 38 is located on the top of the cap 13, saidcup leather having the upwardly reaching flange 39 which bears and sealsagainst the internal surface of the vertically movable cylinder 17. r

A washer 40 is set down against the top central surface of the cupleather 38 and is locked in place by a nut 41 threaded on to the upperprojecting end of the pipe 30.

It will be noted that this cup leather can be reached for adjustment orrenewal through the plate 18 merely by removing the cap 37 when theplatform is in lowered position.

The control of air or oil through the pipe 32 is effected in anyconvenient marmer. n the arrangement illustrated, there is a pressuresupply pipe 42 which supplies com-4 pressed air or other fluid underpressure from a supply tank or pump to a manifold 43. A raising valve 44controls this upply. d 43 by means of a T 45. A Vent valve 46 is alsoconnected to the manifold 43.

In order to raise the lift, the valve 46 is kept closed and the valve 44is opened. In order to lower the lift the valve 44 is kept closed andthe valve 46 is opened.

In those cases in which the lift is to be operated by oil or liquid, itbecomes necessary to fill the hollow piston 11 with the same. For thispurpose the vent valve 46 maybe opened (the pressure supply valve 44being kept closed). The lift being in lowered position and relieved ofpressure, the cap 37 may be removed. Upon pouring oil or other liquiddown into the space 29 it `will ow down through the pipe 30 andaccumulate in the hollow piston 11, raising the level therein untilfinally the piston is completely filled up to the upper end of the pipe32. Liquid will then How through the pipe 32 and finally come to abalance condition therein, .the chamber 29 being completely filled.Thereupon the cap 37 may be secured in place and the lift is ready fornormal operation.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, I have therein illustrated asuitable form of platform and track construction for automobile' liftingservice. In the arrangement illustrated, a cross plate 47 is secured tothe plate 18 by bolts or the like 48 so that the the plate straight outat both sides.

Channel rails 53 and 54 have their central portions secured to the endportions 51 and 52 of the plate 47, the anges ofsaid channels reachingupwardly so as to establish tracks within which the automobile wheelswill be guided. Preferably end flanges and 56 are provided on theeXtreme ends of the plate 49 as abutments for the channel tracks.

If desired the channel tracks may be re.

placed against the outside flanges of the channels and still furtherreenforcement may be produced by similar plates placed against theinside track channel flanges. These plates are secured byv riveting,welding, or other satisfactory means.

It will be noted that in those cases in which the plate 47 is carriedstraight out to both sides, the track channels 53 and 54 are supportedsome distance above the surface of the groundv (it being assumed thatthe-plate 18 on the upper end of the movable cylinder is supported abovethe plate 25 and that the latter is at ground level).

In order to bring the ends of the channel rails 53 and 54 down to groundlevel, I prefer to bend said ends downwardly at an easy Islant as shownat 59 in Fig. 2, the extreme end 60 being cut off on a horizontal planesol that it will rest squarely on the ground and be supported thereby.The 4amount of this downward 'deflection should in each case be madeproper and sufficient to insure ground support for the ends of the railswhen the lift is fullyT lowered, and this should be .the

case whether the plate 47 is bent down as bile wheels from running olfof the rails eX- cept intentionally. For such purpose the end portionsof the channels 53 and 54 may be bent upwardly aslight distance as shownat 61 in Figure 2 and in advance of the down j; wardly slanting portion59:5*This will establish a hump of sufficient amount to pre-- vent thewheel vfrom rolling of, but not suiicient to prevent the car from beingdriven on or of of the lift.

It will be noted that the stationary hollow piston together with the cap13, the vertically movable cylinder 17, the ground shell, the groundplate 25, the top or limi/tI ring 21, and the internal pipes 30 and 32,together with other parts connected thereto may be as` The unit seepageof oil past the cap 13, the same will collect in the lower portlon ofthe ground shell and around the lower end of the vertically movablecylinder 17. Any such oil will thus serve a beneficial urpose in thesense that the lower end of t e cylinder will dip into it each time thecylinder is fully lowered and such oil will be carried up and serves tolubricate against the cap 13 or against the ground plate 25 in case ofdeflection of suicient amount to cause contact therewith.

In some cases it may even be desirable to -introduce oil into the groundshell in amount sufficient to cause substantial submergence of thecylinder 17 v whenlowered so as to insure lubrication of the outside ofthe same each time the lift is lowered and thus always insurelubrication of the outside of the cylinder on the succeeding raisin'operation and in case of contact between t e exterior surface of thecylinder and the ground plate 25.

` While I have herein shown and described only certain embodiments ofthe features of `my present invention, still I do not intend to limitmyself thereto except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim: l 1. A lift for the purpose speced, including in combination astationary vertical 'tubular piston lmember having its lower end sealedin'liquid tight fashion, a cap closing the upper end of said pistonmember in liquid tight fashion and having a cylindrical external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member slidably mounted on and sealing againstthe bearingsurface aforesaid and having bearing contact therewith for a sub`stantial vertical distance, a stationary cylindrical ground shellsurrounding the cylinder member and having its lower end secured to thepiston member at the lower limit of move` ment -of the lower end of thecylinder member and a substantial distance above the lower end of thepiston member, and serving as a bottom restfor the cylinder member whenin lowered position, the ground shell andl the piston member below theline of junction of the ground shell therewith being imbedded inconcrete, a circular ground late secured to the upper end of the grounds ell and having an inwardly .reaching circular bearing surface havingclearance from the external surface of the cylinder member and servingto limit lateral deflection thereof under load and when elevated, anoutwardly reaching stop ring on the exterior of the cylinder member inposition to engage the inwardly reaching circular bearing surfaceaforesaid to arrest upward movement of the cylinder member before thesame overrides the cylindrical exterior bearing surface of the capaforesaid, a sealing member on the upper end of the cap having sealingcontact with the inner surface of the cylinder member during verticalmovement thereof, a platform mounted on and secured to the upper end ofthe cylinder member in liquid tight fashion, a cover thereon removableto give access to the sealing member aforesaid, and air pipe eX- tendingthrough the lower portion of the piston member and reaching upwardlytherein to a position close to the cap aforesaid, a liquid pipe withinthe piston member reaching from a position close to the bottom thereofand up through the cap in liquid tight fashion into the. space withinthe cylinder member to transfer liquid between the interior portions ofthe piston member and the cylinder member under air control, airpressure delivery and discharge lines in connection with the air pipeaforesaid, valves in said lines, and suitable liquid within the pis. tonand cylinder members, the space within the piston member being at leastequal to the volume of the cylinder member displaced during the maximumvertical movement of the cylinder member, substantially as described.

v 2. A lift for the purpose specified, including 1n combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its lower end sealed inliquid tight fashion, a cap closing the upper end of said piston memberin liquid tight fashion and having a cylindrical. external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member slidably mounted on and sealing against the bearingsurface aforesaid and having bearing contact therewith for a substantialvertical distance, a stationary cylindrical ground shell surrounding thecylinder member and having its lower end secured to the piston member atthe lower limit of movement of the lower end of the cylinder member anda substantial distance above the lower end of the piston member, andserving as a bottom rest for the cylinder member when in loweredposition, the ground shell and the piston member below the line ofjunction of the ground shell therewith being imbedded in concrete, acircular ground plate secured to the upper end of the ground shell andhaving an inwardly reaching circular bearing surface having clearancefrom the external surface of the cylinder member and serving to limitlateral deflection thereof under load and when elevated, an outwardlyreaching `stop ring on the exterior of the cylinder member in positionto engage the inwardly reaching circular bearlng surface` `the sealingmember aforesaid, an air pipe ex.-

tending through the lower portion of the piston member and reachingupwardly therein to a position close to the cap aforesaid, a liquid pipewithin the piston member reaching from a position close to the bottomthereof and up through the cap in liquid tight fash' ion into the spacewithin the cylinder member to transfer liquid between the interiorportions of the piston member and the cylinder member under air control,air pressure delivery and discharge lines in connection with the airpipe aforesaid, valves in -said lines, and suitable liquid within thepiston and cylinder members, substantially as described.

3. A lift for the purpose specified, including in combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its lower end sealed inliquid tight fashion, a cap closing .theupper end of said piston memberin llquid tight fashion and having a cylindrical external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member slidably mounted on and sealing against the bearing,surface aforesaid and having bearing contact therewith fora substantialvertical distance, a stationary cylindrical ground shell surrounding thecylinder member and having its lower end secured to the piston member atthe lower limit of movement `of the lower end of the cylinder member anda substantial distance above the lower end of the piston member, andserving as a. bottom rest for the cylinder member when in loweredposition, the ground shell and the piston member below the line ofjunction of' the ground shell therewith being imbedded in concrete, acircular ground plate secured to the upper end of the ground shell andhavmg an inwardly reaching circular bearing surface havingclearance'from the external surface of the, cylinder member and servingto limit lateral defiection thereof under'load and when elevated, anoutwardly reaching stop ring on the exterior of the cylinder member inposition to engage the inwardly reaching circular bearing memberaforesaid to arrest upward movement of the cylinder member before thesame overrides the cylindrical exterior bearing surface of the capaforesaid, a sealing member on the upper end of the cap having sealingcontact with the inner surface of the cylinder member during verticalmovement thereof, a platform mounted on and secured to the upper end ofthe cylinder member in liquid tight fashion, a cover theretransferliquid-,between the interior portions of the piston member and thecylinder' member under air control, and suitable liquid within thepiston and cylinder members, the

space within the piston member being at least equal to the volume of thecylinder member displaced during the maximum vertical movement of thecylinder member, substantially as described.

4. A lift for the purpose specified, including' in combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its lower end sealed inliquid tight fashion, a cap closing the upper .end of said piston memberin liquid tight fashion and having a cylindrical external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member slidably mountedbn and sealing against the bearingsurface aforesaid and having bearing contact therewith for a substantialvertical distance, a'stationary cylindrical ground shell surrounding thecylinder member and having its lower end secured to the piston member atthe lower limit of movement of the lower end of the cylinder member anda substantial distance above the lower end of the piston member, andserving as a bott-om rest for the cylinder member when in loweredposition, the ground shell and piston member below the line of unctionof the ,ground shelltherewith fbeing imbedded in concrete, a circularground plate secured to the upper end of the ground shell and having aninwardly reaching circular bearing surface havingl clearance from theexternal surface of the cylinder member and serving to limit lateraldeflection thereof under load and when elevated, an outwardly reachingstop ring on the exterior of the cylinder member in position to engagethe inwardly reaching circular bearing member aforesaid to arrest upwardmovement-lof the cylinder member before the same overrides thecylindrical exterior bearing surface of the cap aforesaid,

a sealing member on the upper end of the cap having sealing' contactwith the vinner surface of the cylinder member duringv vertical moveyment thereof, a platform mounted on and secured to the upper end of thecylinder member in liquid tight fashion, a cover thereon removable togive access to the sealing member aforesaid, and means for introducingand permitting disch-arge of fluid pressure underlar piston memberhaving its lower end sealed in liquid tight fashion, a cap closing theupper end of said piston member in liquid tightl fashion and having acylindrical external bearing surface of substantial vertical dimension,a vertically movable tubular cylinder member slidably mounted on andsealing against the bearing surface aforesaid and having bearing contacttherewith for a substantial vertical distance, a stationary cylindricalground shell surrounding the cylinder member and having its lower endsecured to the piston member at the lower limit of movement of the lowerend of the cylinder member and a substantial distance above the lowerend of the piston member, and servingas a bottom rest for the cylindermember when inlowered position, a circular ground plate secured to theupper end of the ground shell and having an inwardly reaching circular'bearing surface serving to limit lateral deflection thereof under loadand when elevated, an outwardly reaching stop ring on the exterior ofthe vcylinder member in position to engage the inwardly. reachingcircular bearing member aforesaid to arrest upward movement of thecylinder member before the same overrides the cylindrical exteriorbearing surface of the cap aforesaid, a. sealing member on the upper endof the cap having sealing Contact with the inner surface of the lcylinder member during vertical movement thereof, a platform mounted onand secured to the upper end of the cylinder member in liquid tightfashion, a cover thereon removable to give access tothe sealing memberaforesaid, and means for introducing and permitti ng discharge of uidpressure under controlv into the space within the cylinder member.substantially as described.

l6. A lift for the purpose specified, including in combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its lower end sealed inliquid tight fashion, a cap closing the upper end of said piston memberin liquid tight fashion and having a cylindrical external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylin-der member slidably mounted on and sealing against the bearingsurface aforesaid4 and' having bearing contact therewith for asubstantial vertical distance, a stationary cylinp drical ground shellsurrounding the cylinder member and having its lower end secured to thepiston member at the lower limit of movement of the lower end ofthecylinder member and a substantialdistance above the lower end of thepiston member, and serving asa bottom rest for the cylinder member whensecured to the upper end of the ground shell and having an inwardlyreaching circular bearing surface serving to limit lateral deflectionthereof under load and when elevated, van outwardly reaching stop ringon the exterior of the cylinder member in position to engage theinwardly reaching circular bearing member aforesaid to arrest upwardmovement of the cylinder member before the same overrides thecylindrical exterior bearing surface of the cap aforesaid, a platformmounted on and secured to the upper end of the cylinder member in liquidtight fashion, and means for introducing and permitting discharge offluid pressure under control into the space within the cylinder member,substantially as described.

7. A lift for the purpose specified, including in combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its lower end sealed inliquid tight fashion, a cap closing the upper end of said piston memberin liquid tight fashion and having a cylindrical external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member slidably mounted on and sealing against the bearingsurface aforesaid and having 'bearing contact therewith for asubstantial vertical distance, a stationary'cylindrical ground shellsurrounding the cylinder member and having its lower end secured to thepiston member at the lower limit of movement of the lower end of thecylinder member a circular ground plate secured to the upper end of the'ground shell and having an inwardly Y reaching circular bearing surfaceserving to limit lateral deflection thereof under load and whenelevated, an outwardly reaching stop ring on the exterior off the 40cylinder 4member in position to engage the inwardly reaching clrcularbearing member before the same overrides the cylindrical exteriorbearing surface of the cap aforesaid, a platform mounted on and securedto 4B' the upperend of the cylinder member in liquid tight fashion, andmeans for introducing `and permitting discharge of Huid pressure undercontrol into the space within the cylinder member, substantially asdescribed.

8..A lift for the purpose specified, includlng 1n combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its lower end sealed inliquid tight fashion, a cap closin the upper end of sald piston memberin liqui .55 tight fashion and having a cylindrical external bearingsurface of substantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member slidably mountedon and sealing against the bearingsurface aforesaid and a having bearing contact therewith for asubstantial vertical distance, a stationary cylindrical ground shellsurrounding the cylinder member andhaving its lower end secured to thepiston member at the lower limitv of movement of the lower end of thecylinder vinder member, acircular ground rplatefsemember, means forlimiting the upward movement ofthe cylinder member before the sameoverrides the cylindrical exterior bearing surface of the cap aforesaid,a platform mounted on and secured to the upper end of N the cylindermember in liquid tight fashion, and means for introducing and permittingdischarge of Huid pressure under control into the space within thecy1inder`m'ember, substantially as described. l v 'l 9. A lift for thepurpose specified, includin in combination a stationary vertical tubularpiston member having its lower end sealed in liquid tight fashion, acap` closing the upper end off said piston member in liquid tightfashion and havin a cylindrical external bearing surface o substantialvertical dimension, a vertically movable tubular cylinder memberslidably mounted on and sealing against the bearing surface aforesaidand having bearin contact therewith for a substantial vertical distance,a. stationary cylindrical ound shell surrounding the cylinder mem er, acircular ground plate secured to the upper end of the ground shell andhaving an inwardly reaching circular bearing surface serving to limitlateral deflection of the cylinder memberunder load and when elevated,an outwardly'reaching stop ring on the exterior of .the c linder memberin position to engage the 1n-l Wardly reaching circular bearing memberaforesaid to arrest upward movement of the cylinder member be ore thesame overrides the cylindrical exterior bearing surface of the capaforesaid, aplatform mounted on and secured to the upper end of thecylinder member in liquidtight fashion and-means for introducing andpermitting discharge of Huid ressure under control into the space with-1n the cylinder member, substantially as described.

10. A lift for the purpose specified including in combination astationary vertical tubular piston member, a cap closing the u per endof said piston member in liquid ti t fashion and having a cylindricalexternal bearing surface of substantial vertical dimension, a verticallymovable vtubular cylinder member slidably mounted on and sealing againstthe bearing surface aforesaid and having bearing contact therewith for asubstantial vertical distance, a stationary cy'- lindrical ground shellsurrounding the cylcured to the upper end of the ground shell and'having an inwardly reachin circular bearing surface serving to limitateral deiiection of the cylinder member under load and when elevated,an outwardly reaching l stop ring on the exterior of the cylinder memberin position to engage the inwardly reaching circular bearing memberaforesaid to arrest upward movement of thefcylinder member before thesame overrides-the cylnlll fr-I

dri'cal exterior bearing surface of the cap aforesaid, a sealing memberon the upper portionlof the cap serving to establish sealing contactwith the interior surface of the t6 cylinder member, a platform mountedon and secured to'the upper end of the cylinder member in liquid. tightfashion and having f a portion which is removable to give access to saidsealing member for adjustment and 10 renewal purposes, and means forintroducing and lpermitting dischargepof fluid pressure under controlinto the space within the cylinder member, substantially as described.l11. A lift for the purpose specied in- 15 cluding in combination astationaryvertical tubular pistonmember, a cap closing the upper end ofsaid piston member in liquid tight fashion and 'having a cylindricalexternal bearing surface of substantial vertical dimen` 20 sion, avertically movable tubularv cylinder member slidably mounted on andsealing against the bearing surface aforesaid' and having bearingcontact therewith for a substantial vertical distance, a stationary cyl-$5 indrical round shell surrounding the cylinder mem er, a sealingmember on the upper portion of the cap serving to establish sealingContact with the interior surface of the cylinder member, a platformmounted on 30 and secured to the'upper end of the cylinder '555i anoutwardly reaching stop ringen the exf member in liquid tight fashionand having a portion which is removable to give access tosaid sealingmember for adjustment and renewal purposes, and means for introduc- 95ing and' permitting discharge of fluid` presshell surrounding thecylinder member, a 50 circular ground' plate secured to the upper end ofthe ground shell and having an inwardly reaching circular bearingsurface .serving to limit lateral deflection of the cylluder memberunder load and when elevated,

terior of the cylinder ymember 1n position to 'engage the inwardlyreaching circular bearing member aforesaid to arrest upward movement ofthe cylinder member before the 0 same overrides the cylindrical exteriorbearf ing surface/of the head aforesaid, a-sealing member on the upperportion of the head serving' to establish sealing Contact with theinterior surface of the` cylinder member, a plat- 55" form4 mounted onand secured to the upprend of the cylinder member in liquid tightfashion and having a portion which is removable to give access to saidsealing member for adjustment and renewal purposes, and means forintroducing and permitting discharge Aof Huid pressure under controlinto the space within the cylinder member, substantially as described.

13. .Alift for the purpose specified-including in combination astationary vertical pis- Y ton member having a head block on its upperend, said head block having a cylindrical eX- ternal bearing surface ofsubstantial vertical dimension, a vertically movable tubular cylindermember slidably mounted on and sealing against the bearing surfaceaforesaid and having bearing contact therewith for a substantialvertical distance, a sealing member on the upper portion the head blockserving to establish sealing contact with the interior surface of thecylinder member, a platform mounted on secured to the upper end of thecylinder member in liquid tight fashion and having a portion which isremovable to give access to said sealing member for adjustment andrenewal purposes, and means for introducing and permitting discharge ofthe Huid pressure under control into the space within thecylindermember, substantially as described.

14. A lift for the purpose specied including in combination estationaryvertical piston member having rigid support for its lower end, avertically movable tubularcylinder member surrounding said pistonineinher and having sealing and sliding contact therewith throughout thenormal range of movement of said cylinder member, a ground platesurrounding the cylinder member and having a bearing surface adapted tolimit v lateral deflection of the cylinder member under load'and whenelevated, an external outwardly projecting ring portionon the cylindermember in position to engage said' ground plate and limit upwardmovement of the cylinder member before it disengages from the pistonmember, a sealing member on vthe upper portion of the piston membermaking sealing contact with the interior surface of the cylinder member,a platform mounted on and securedto the upper end of the cylinder memberin liquid tight fashion and having a portion which is removable to iveaccess to said sealing member for adjustment and renewal purposes, andmeans for introducing and permitting discharge of fluid pressure under.control into the s ace within the cylinder member, substantial y asdescribed.

15. A lift for the purpose specified including in combination astationary vertical piston member having a rigid support for its lowerend, a vertically movable tubular cyllinder member surrounding saidpiston member and having sealing and sliding contact 'flo i'io

iso

vum

therewith throughout the normal range of movement of said cylindermember, a ground plate surrounding the cylinder member and having abearing surface adapted to limit lateral deflection of the cylindermember under load and when elevated, means for limitingr upward movementof thecylinder member before it disengages from the piston member, a.sealing member on the upper portion of the piston memberl makingsealing contact with the interior surface of the cylinder member, aplatform mounted on and secured to the upper end of the cylinder memberin liquid tight fashion and having a portion which is removable to giveaccess to lsaid sealing member for adjustment and renewal purposes, andmeans for introducing and permitting discharge of fluid pressure undercontrol into the space within the cylinder member, substantially asdescribed.

16. A lift for the purpose specified including in combination astationary vertical piston member having a rigid support for its lowerend, a vertically movable tubular member surrounding said piston memberand having sealing and sliding contact therewith throughout the normalrange of movement of said cylinder member, means adjacent to theexterior of the cylinder member substantially at the location of theground level adapted to limit lateral deliection of the cylinder memberunder load and when elevated, means` for limiting the upward movement ofthe cylinder member before it disengages from the plistoumember, aplatform mounted on und secured to the upper end of thecylinder memberin liquid tight fashion, and means for introducing and permittingdischarge of fiuid pressure under control into. the space within thecylinder member, substantiallyeas described.

17. A lift for the purpose specified, ,in-

1n to a position close to the upperend thereof,v4

a liquid pipe within the piston memberreaching from 'a position close tothe bottom thereof and up through the upper end thereof into the spacewithin the cylinder member to transfer liquid between the interiorportions of the piston member and the cylinder mem-` ber under aircontrol, and means for controlling thedelivery and release of airthrough said air pipe, the space within the piston member being at leastequal to the volume o-f the cylinder member displaced during maximumvertical movement of the cylinder member, substantially as described.

18. A lift for the purpose specified, including in combination astationary vertical tubular piston member having its upper and lowerends sealed in liquid tight fashion, avertically movable tubularcylinder member surrounding said piston member 'and vertlically movablewithl respect thereto in sealing contact therewith, a platform mountedon and secured to the upper end of the cylinder member in liquid tightfashion, the space within the piston member being at least equal to thevolume of the cylinder member displaced during maximum vertical movementof the cylinder member, suitable liquid within the piston member, andmeans for transferring said liquid from the tubular piston member under.pressure and control into the space within the cylinder member to liftsaid member and for permitting redelivery of said liquid from thecylinder member back into the tubular piston member, substantially asdescribed.

19. A lift for the purpose specified, including in combination astationary'vert'ical tubular piston member having its upper and lowerends sealed in liquid tight fashion, a vertically movable tubularcylinder member surrounding said piston member and vertically movablewith respect thereto in sealing contact therewith, a platform mounted onand' secured to the upper end of the cylinder member in liquid tightfashion, the space within the piston member being at least equal to thevolume of the cylinder member displaced during maximum vertical movementof the cylinder member, suitable liquid within the tubular pistonmember, and means for transferring said liquid under control between thetubular piston member and the cylinder member to thereby control theraising and falling of the cylinder tube, substantially as described.

.'IHOS. A. BANN ING, J n.

